Monday, September 28, 2009

Trump Opens New Waikiki Hotel

The Trump International Hotel Group is now taking reservations for its Waikiki Beach Walk property that is scheduled to open in November 2009. It is similar in the ultra-luxe theme that is seen throughout the Trump properties worldwide. Grand opening rates begin at $255.

Saveur Magazine Names Culinary Travel Advisory Board Members

Saveur Magazine, in a recent partnership with Virtuoso, announced its new Culinary Travel Advisory Board in the October edition that is on newsstands this week. Congratulations to our sister company, Savory Travel, who was selected with over 50 Virtuoso travel agents! All board members specialize in culinary journeys and will work with the magazine to develop trips, tours and adventures for those that are "foodies" at heart. There is also a large travel section devoted to culinary travel on their website. Check out the latest edition or online www.saveur.com!

Four Seasons Great Exuma Resort Sold

Sandals Resorts recently announced it had purchased the now-closed Four Seasons Great Exuma Resort at Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. The resort opened in 2003 but closed earlier this year. Sandals is planning a major pool area upgrade as well as adding in more dining venues. The new resort will have its grand opening on January 22, 2010.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Airlines Add Fees for Holiday Travel

American and United both added a $10 surcharge for flights around Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. American announced their new policy Wednesday and United matched it on Thursday. The fee is technically a fuel surcharge but obviously its a way to charge more for premium travel. The three days surrounding Thanksgiving and January 2nd and 3rd are the highest most travelled days of the year. Other major carriers may announce higher fees as well in the coming weeks. In better aviation news, Frontier reduced their change fee from $150 to $100 last week. However, the carrier did raise its first checked bag fee.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

JW Marriott Meeting Matters Program

The JW Marriott group is offering up to $100 per stay per room for each attendee for a meeting block. The credit can be used for on-property amenities or as a credit to the master account. Participating resorts include those in Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada and Mexico.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Have you volunteamed yet?

This past year was definitely a time when companies struggled through the rough economy and drastically reduced budgets which scaled back their meetings, incentives programs and corporate group travel options. During this time, many of these companies turned towards low-cost teambuilding ideas that also give back to their communities. A new term called "volunteaming" has been coined in the meetings industry which combines volunteerism with teambuilding activities. Its a powerful, break out of the box idea that gives the participant an ownership feeling of "look what our team did together" and a "sense of contribution, giving back" will make the meeting one they will remember forever. Activities range from building bikes for needy children, cleaning up a park and painting a playground, to creating teams that are given a budget and go out to find a project to work on in the city and then report back to the group. Programs can be as short as two hours or stretch over the length of the meeting. Used as an incentive, a volunteer option can be built into budget or sales program or even allow the winner to choose how they want to demonstrate their corporate citizenship.

Monday, September 21, 2009

San Francisco's Airport is the first to offer carbon offsets

San Francisco's airport recently unveiled three new kiosks that sell carbon offsets to travelers that want to reduce their carbon footprint. They are called Climate Passports and offer a simple touchscreens to help determine the amount of carbon dioxide your trip will create and the availability to swipe your credit card to donate to organizations and projects in the SFO area that reduce greenhouse gases. There are several websites that offer carbon offsets as well as many meeting planners, suppliers and travel agencies. Its a just a small step travelers can make to help do their part.

Are you doing your part?

Have you ever been to an event and wonder what happens to all the untouched leftover banquet food? Normally it just gets thrown away with the rest of the trash from the festivities. Most meeting planners would agree that they hesitate to donate because they don't want the liability if someone was to get sick. But did you know that President Clinton signed a federal law in 1996 that protects food donors and limits their liability. Check out www.feedingamerica.org to find out more information because everyone can make a difference!